Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

03 sec Countdown

2 Min Countdown

H&R Big Do Slide

4 Minute Timer

60 sec Countdown

Big Story Video

Herman and Rusty Act 3

5 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Act 1

Herman and Rusty Title

Herman and Rusty Act 2

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

Ethel and Sophia open a lemonade stand so they can beat the heat, but their high prices leave Dr. Herman and Rusty sweating. (Note: This lesson presents God’s gift of salvation. Every church presents the Gospel with slight variations and nuances. Read through the steps before teaching. Present the Gospel in a way that is consistent with the scripture and God’s leading.)

Large Group Full Program

Question of the Day: What’s the best birthday gift a friend has ever given you at your birthday party?





Engage 2 Prep: Before the Engage, paint the word “God is good” on one shirt and “I am the best” on the other shirt.

Countdown / Rules

**Host**

Welcome to the Lab! I love that we get to come to church each week and learn about how God wants to help us live a great life.



**Co-Host**

That’s how loving and awesome God is to us. We might serve God, but He constantly helps us become our best. He is so good to us.



**Host**

I guess that’s why goodness is a part of the Fruit of the Spirit. It grows in you because that’s a part of who God is. He is good.



**Co-Host**

The fruit growing in us comes from walking in step with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to have that kind of attitude in your life?



**Host**

That’s what we’re going to discover today as we dig into the Bible. Let’s give you a little clue with a game. We have some kids who will play hot potato with a large beach ball, and they’ll be spread out all across the stage. When the music plays, you must toss the beach ball to each other. Whoever’s holding the ball or whoever threw it last if it’s in midair is out.





Optional, play game music. Play the game.









**Co-Host**

That was a crazy game. Usually you’re trying to grab everything for yourself, but that game was all about giving it away.



**Host**

That’s your first clue to the Big Point. Before we reveal it, let’s see what's going on at the lab. But first, tell someone what you would give your parents if you suddenly won a million dollars.

Welcome

Worship



**Co-Host**

It looks really hot in Herman’s Lab. I think Sophia and Ethel have a great idea with the lemonade stand, but it sounds like they want to take advantage of the heat and overcharge for it.



**Host**

I think if they heard the Big Point, they might be more willing to offer the lemonade for a fair price and help their friends.





**Co-Host**

Let’s choose a Lab Assistant to help us reveal the Big Point so we can understand goodness better.





**Host** and **Co-Host** choose a kid to volunteer.





**Co-Host**

After we count down from three, we need you to read the Big Point. 



**Host**

Let’s all say it together, **Give Without Getting Back**! Sometimes we give away our time, our effort, or even our stuff with the hope that we’ll get something even better back in return.



**Co-Host**

Giving like that is more focused on yourself than others. Do you think the point of giving is to think about what you want or what other people need? (Pause) You’re right. Giving is about other people, not yourself.



**Host**

If your reason for giving is all about you, then you’re not showing the Fruit of the Spirit.



**Co-Host**

Let’s look at some scenarios, and we’ll poll the audience to see if you think that situation shows goodness or doesn’t show it. If you think that it does, raise both hands. If you believe it doesn’t, keep your hands in your lap.





Show the slides and have the kids answer. If time allows, ask a few kids to explain why they thought the scenario did or did not display an attitude of goodness.



Scenarios:

 - You offer to pick your friend up for school if he is willing to buy you an ice cream at lunch.

 - You give your friend a thoughtful birthday gift.

 - You offer to help your sister clean her room.

 - You help a friend with homework in exchange for half his allowance.

 - Your friend is in trouble but didn’t do anything wrong. You agree to tell the teacher the truth if she promises to do your homework.

 - You offer to help your dad clean the garage if he will take you to the store to buy something.

 - You go to your grandparents’ house to help them with a garage sale.

 - You have an extra can of soda in your lunchbox and offer to sell it to your friend for double what you paid.

 - Your friend doesn’t have money for pizza, so you offer him the leftover crust after you’re done eating.

 - You have an extra movie ticket and give it your friend.





Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide A.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide B.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide C.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide D.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide E.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide F.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide G.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide H.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide I.jpg

Engage 1 Slides - IS Elem L6 Engage 1 Slide J.jpg

**Host**

Goodness doesn’t mean that you never get anything in return. If we’re all choosing goodness, then we’re all helping each other out. That’s a good thing. Goodness means that we’re thinking more about others than ourselves.



**Co-Host**

It makes sense that fruit grows inside of you when you follow Jesus. He is always good. Jesus gave to us when we didn’t deserve it. 



**Host**

We can display that same attitude. Let’s see if Ethel and Sophia will decide to show goodness to their friends.



Engage 1

**Host** and **Co-Host** enter. Before the Engage, paint the word “God is good” on one shirt and “I am the best” on the other shirt.



**Co-Host**

I can’t believe they were selling lemonade for $200 per glass. Does it sound like they were trying to take advantage of their friends?



**Host**

It was fine for them to sell glasses of lemonade, but I don’t think they should have gone that extreme with the price. They definitely need to follow the Big Point, 

**Host**

**Give Without Getting Back!**



**Co-Host**

We need a Lab Assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse. The Bible can help us better understand the value of our gifts.





**Co-Host**

After we count down from three, you get to read the verse. 





**Host**

2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIrV), “Your gifts meet the needs of the Lord’s people. And that’s not all. Your gifts also cause many people to thank God.” Giving and showing goodness are great ways to help people learn about God. 



**Co-Host**

Let’s explore more about what this verse means. We have a couple of friends who are wearing t-shirts. They seem plain, but they each have a message on them.





Bring out each volunteer. Begin with the one wearing the God is Unkind message.





**Co-Host**

You can’t really see the message because they’re painted with a special kind of paint that reveals itself in the sun. We’re going to shine this UV light on the shirt. Imagine this kid represents someone who is only out for themselves, but still tells everyone that he/she is a Christian. Let’s see what message he/she sends.





Reveal the message “I am the best.”





**Host**

That’s not the message you want to send. Let’s say this kid is someone who gives without getting back. Let’s see the message they send.





Reveal the message “God is good.”





**Co-Host**

If you tell all your friends that you are a Christian, but you constantly put yourself first, doing unkind things, do you think they’ll have a positive idea about Jesus? Probably not.





**Host**

When we show God’s goodness to other people, we give without getting back, and then we help others understand the truth about God. Let’s stand and worship God now.



Engage 2



The Holy Spirit is our guide. He’s the One who helps us make the right choices, shows us ways to help others, and produces the fruit of goodness in our hearts. Without the Holy Spirit at work in your life, it’s really hard to put other people ahead of yourself. Until you say, “Yes” to following Jesus, you don’t have access to the power the Holy Spirit gives. Believing in Jesus and making Him the leader of your life is the first step in walking in step with the Holy Spirit.



If you have never said, “Yes, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life,” then today is your day! I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted. If you have already said, “Yes” to Jesus, I want you to give me a thumbs up. That’s awesome. You can put your hands down. If you've never said, “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say “Yes” to Him right now and ask Him to forgive you, and tell Him you want to live differently, raise your hand. We’re going to pray all together. Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray... 





Dear God, I know everyone needs a Savior, and I know I can’t save myself. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and God raised You from the dead.

Right now, I say you are my Lord, my Savior, and the One who forgives me. Thank you, Jesus, that You are my best friend and leader of my life, because I’ve said, “Yes” to You. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the very first time today, that is such good news and we want to talk about it with you. When we break into Small Groups, you can join a special Small Group just for kids who said, “Yes” for the first time. Look for that special sign as we break later. 





Big Story

**Host**

I’m glad that Sophia and Ethel had a change of heart about their lemonade stand.



**Co-Host**

They are definitely walking in step with the Holy Spirit now. It’s like Paul and Silas. They could have thought only of themselves, but instead they helped the jailer and his family meet Jesus. 



**Host**

Paul’s story is a great example of living out the Big Point, 

**Host**

**Give Without Getting Back!** Let’s check out this week’s Big Do, so we can learn how to apply the Big Point this week.



**Co-Host**

The Big Do is to make a homemade gift for someone else. It could be a picture, a card, or even a song. Give it to someone without asking for anything in return.



**Host**

Let’s play a game in which two teams compete to give something away. We have two teams of four kids. On each side of the stage is a hula hoop. One team member must stand inside the hoop for the entire game. Their job is to tag anyone from the other team who comes near. Each team tries to place as many balls as possible inside the hula hoop. If you get tagged, you must go back to the starting point and try again.



**Co-Host**

You have sixty seconds to get as many in each hoop as you can.



**Host**

On your mark, get set, go!









Optional, play game music. Play the game. Have a bucket of ball pit balls in the center of the stage. The teams must try to sneak up to the hula hoop and place a ball inside the hoop without getting tagged. You can also use bean bags or cups in place of the balls.





**Host**

Great job to our winners. Don’t forget our Big Point, 

**Host**

**Give Without Getting Back!** Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss what we’ve learned.

Engage 3

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following. 









 - What’s a nice thing someone did for you? Did that person want you to do something for him/her in return?

 - How has God shown goodness to us?

 - Do you think it was hard for Paul and Silas to show kindness to the jailer? What difference did Paul and Silas’ goodness make?

 - What are some ways that you could show goodness this week?

Small Group

Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question. 

 - Our Big Point says, Give Without _____!

    - Giving Too Much

    - **Getting Back**



 - Why did Paul make some people mad in Philippi?

    - **He helped a girl in need**

    - He stole some money



 - What happened to Paul and Silas in Philippi?

    - **Thrown in jail**

    - Celebrated by the city



 - 2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIrV), “Your gifts meet the needs of the Lord’s people. And that’s not all. Your gifts also cause many people to _____ God.”

    - Ignore

    - **Thank**



 - Paul and Silas showed goodness to which person?

    - Their friend

    - **The jailer**



 - Name one way that God has been good to us.



 - Why is it important to show goodness to others?



 - What good decision did the jailer and his family make?

    - To hurt Paul

    - **To say “Yes” to Jesus**



 - Paul and Silas escaped from the jailer’s house and never went back to the jail.

    - True

    - **False**



 - What is this week’s Big Do?

**Make a homemade gift for someone**

Big Review

Large Group Abbreviated

Slides of the Yes prayer in the Big Story are available in lesson downloads.

**Host**

Welcome to the Lab! I love that we get to come to church each week and learn about how God wants to help us live a great life.

**Co-Host**

That’s how loving and awesome God is to us. We might serve God, but He constantly helps us become our best. He is so good to us.

**Host**

I guess that’s why goodness is a part of the Fruit of the Spirit. It grows in you because that’s a part of who God is. He is good.

**Co-Host**

The fruit growing in us comes from walking in step with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to have that kind of attitude in your life?

**Host**

That’s what we’re going to discover today as we dig into the Bible. 

**Co-Host**

Let's get started!

**Host**

Alright! Let’s see what's going on at the lab. But first, tell someone what you would give your parents if you suddenly won a million dollars.

**Host**

Let’s all say it together, **Give Without Getting Back**! Sometimes we give away our time, our effort, or even our stuff with the hope that we’ll get something even better back in return.

**Co-Host**

Giving like that is more focused on yourself than others. Do you think the point of giving is to think about what you want or what other people need? (Pause) You’re right. Giving is about other people, not yourself.



**Host**

If your reason for giving is all about you, then you’re not showing the Fruit of the Spirit.

**Co-Host**

Right. That's not goodness.

**Host**

Goodness doesn’t mean that you never get anything in return. If we’re all choosing goodness, then we’re all helping each other out. That’s a good thing. Goodness means that we’re thinking more about others than ourselves.

**Co-Host**

It makes sense that fruit grows inside of you when you follow Jesus. He is always good. Jesus gave to us when we didn’t deserve it.

**Host**

We can display that same attitude. Let’s see if Ethel and Sophia will decide to show goodness to their friends.

**Host**

2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIrV), “Your gifts meet the needs of the Lord’s people. And that’s not all. Your gifts also cause many people to thank God.” Giving and showing goodness are great ways to help people learn about God.



**Co-Host**



Let’s explore more about what this verse means. If you tell all your friends that you are a Christian, but you constantly put yourself first, doing unkind things, do you think they’ll have a positive idea about Jesus? Probably not.

**Host**

When we show God’s goodness to other people, we give without getting back, and then we help others understand the truth about God. Let’s stand and worship God now.

**Co-Host**

The Big Do is to make a homemade gift for someone else. It could be a picture, a card, or even a song. Give it to someone without asking for anything in return.



**Host**

What a great idea! Don’t forget our Big Point,

Midweek / Classroom

Question of the Day: What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever gotten for Christmas? 

Welcome to the Lab! We are so glad you are here! It’s time to turn to your Small Group Leaders to talk about the Big Question of the Day. 



Optional, play game music.

Small Group Leader

Use this time to introduce yourself to your kids, talk about the Big Question, and go over the rules. Use the ball to signify whose turn it is to talk. If someone wants to answer the question, they raise their hand, and the Small Group Leader throws them the ball. When that person finishes, he/she throws the ball back to the Small Group Leader, who then chooses the next person to answer.





I love that we get to come to church each week and learn about how God wants to help us live a great life. He is so awesome, loving and good. I guess that’s why goodness is a part of the Fruit of the Spirit. It grows in you because it’s part of who God is. He is good. The fruit growing in us comes from being led by the Holy Spirit. I think we can illustrate this with a little game. Who’s ready for Lab Wars? Send up someone from each group for our game!



Here's how the game works. Each participant has a velcro vest to wear. The object of the game is to stick as many velcro balls as possible onto the other teams’ vests. If one gets stuck to you, you’re not allowed to remove it. Whichever team has the least amount of balls on their vests when time is up wins! Ready, set, go!



 

Optional play game music. Kids race around the stage trying to pin as many Velcro balls onto the other teams’ vests. 





Great job to our winning team! Today we are talking about goodness, and how goodness focuses on other people without thinking about ourselves. Let’s check in with our friends in the Lab to see if they choose to show goodness.







Lab Wars

I think Sophia and Ethel have a great idea with the lemonade stand, but it sounds like they want to take advantage of the heat and overcharge for it. I think if they heard today’s Big Point, they might be more willing to offer the lemonade for a fair price and help their friends. I need a Small Group to help me reveal the Big Point. 





Choose a Small Group to count it down. 





Let’s all say it together, **Give Without Getting Back!** Sometimes we give away our time, our effort, or even our stuff with the hope that we’ll get something even better in return. But giving should be more focused on others than yourself. Let’s turn to our Small Groups to do an activity. 



Optional, play game music.

Small Group Leader,

Kids will decorate a slap bracelet to give to somebody else. As they decorate, ask them who they are going to give theirs to and how they think that person will respond to the gift.





I loved seeing all those bracelets you made for other people! I bet whoever you give those to is going to love it! What a great way to show our Big Point, 



**Give Without Giving Back!** Goodness doesn’t mean that you never get anything in return. If we all choose goodness, then we all end up helping each other out. That’s a good thing. Goodness means that we think more about others than ourselves. Let’s see if Ethel and Sophia will decide to show some goodness to their friends.

I can’t believe they were selling lemonade for $200 per glass. Does it sound like they were treating their friends right? It was fine for them to sell glasses of lemonade, but I don’t think they should have gone to that extreme with the price. They definitely need to follow the Big Point, 

**Give Without Getting Back!** Let’s check out our Big Verse to find out what the Bible says about giving. I’d like a Small Group to help me reveal what it is. 





Choose a Small Group to help you count down from three.





2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIrV) says, “Your gifts meet the needs of the Lord’s people. And that’s not all. Your gifts also cause many people to thank God.” Giving and showing goodness is a great way to help people learn about God. Let’s turn to our Small Groups to do an activity together. 



Optional, play game music.

Small Group Leader,



Kids will each complete their Activity Sheet. As they work, help give ideas and prompt as needed.

		





I’m so thankful for God’s goodness to us. Because of how good He is, we can show goodness to other people.  Let’s check out a true story from the Bible about two guys in the Bible who were able to show goodness to someone you might not expect.

The Holy Spirit is our guide. He’s the One who helps us make right choices, shows us ways to help others, and produces the fruit of goodness in our hearts. Without the Holy Spirit at work in your life, it’s hard to put other people ahead of yourself. Until you say, “Yes” to following Jesus, you don’t have access to the power the Holy Spirit gives. Believing in Jesus and making Him the leader of your life is the first step in walking in step with the Holy Spirit.



If you have never said, “Yes, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life,” then today is your day! I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted. If you have already said, “Yes” to Jesus, I want you to give me a thumbs up. That’s awesome. You can put your hands down. If you've never said, “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say “Yes” to Him right now and ask Him to forgive you, and tell Him you want to live your life differently, raise your hand. We’re going to pray all together. 





Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray... 

Dear God, I know everyone needs a Savior, and I know I can’t save myself. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and God raised You from the dead.









Right now, I say you are my Lord, my Savior, and the One who forgives me. Thank you, Jesus, that You are my best friend and leader of my life, because I’ve said, “Yes” to You. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the very first time today, be sure to tell your Small Group Leader. We want to celebrate with you! Go ahead and turn to your Small Groups now. 



**Small Group Leader**

Did anybody say, “Yes” to Jesus for the first time today? (Pause) Let’s pray and thank God for how good He is to us, and let’s ask Him to show us a way we could give or a person that we could give to this week. (Pray for your group)



**Leader**

Saying “Yes” to Jesus is the best decision you could ever make! Let’s check back in with the Lab to see what happens with Ethel and Sophia’s lemonade stand.





I’m glad that Sophia and Ethel had a change of heart about their lemonade stand. They’re walking in step with the Holy Spirit now. It reminds me of Paul and Silas. They could have thought only of themselves, but they helped the jailer and his family meet Jesus. Paul is a great example of the Big Point,



**Give Without Getting Back!** Let’s check out this week’s Big Do, so we can learn how to apply the Big Point this week. 

The Big Do is to make a homemade gift for someone else. It could be a picture, a card, or even a song. Give it to them without asking for anything in return. Let’s turn to our Small Groups to finish up tonight’s service. 



Small Group Leader,

Wrap up your Small Group by passing out positive reinforcement, praying for your group, and doing a team cheer!

In Step Week 6

Venue

Sections

Downloads

About

Large Group Full Program Instructions

Large Group Full Program Instructions